Axle assembly



R. c. PIERCE l2,769,631

Nov. 6, 1956 AxLE ASSEMBLY Filed April 8. 1952 Unite States 9 Claims. (Cl. 267-571) The invention relates to a novel axle assembly that may be used to resiliently support a related vehicle body or the like.

A general object of the invention is to provide an axle assembly wherein the potential of rubber, or like material, to absorb -dynamic forces is utilized to flexibly support a related vehicle body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel axle assembly utilizing the resilient torsional deformation of a rubber tube to flexibly support a related vehicle body.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an axle assembly of the class described that Will support a related vehicle body and maintain said body in a substantially horizontal plane, that is, an axle assembly affording level load characteristics.

Still another specific object of the invention is to provide an axle assembly of the class described that will facilitate assembly and disassembly of the associated parts during repair or replacement of an individual part.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description, wherein:

Figure l is a plan View illustrating one application of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the embodiment shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a side elevational View of the embodiment shown in Figure 3;

p Figure 5 is a detail view showing the construction of the axle utilized in the assembly, and

Figure 6 is a detail view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Describing the invention as disclosed in Figures l 'and 2, bearing blocks 2 and 4 are integral with or are secured to the bottom of a related vehicle body, as by bolt and nut means utilizing holes 6 and 8 of the related block, in such a manner as to dispose the axle, generally designated 10, transversely of la related Vehicle body. The axle 10 comprises a main shaft 12 eccentrically carrying on one end thereof, another shaft or wheel spindle 14 by means of the transversely extended throw or crank arm 16, rigidly interconnecting the related ends of the main shaft and wheel spindle. The spindle 14 is designed to rotatably mount an associated wheel (not shown) by means of the conventional cup, cone, and bearing connection.

Bearing block 2, which is preferably of the integral type but may be of the demountable cap type, offers journal connection as at 15 for that portion of the shaft 12 adjacent the throw 16, at a point on the related vehicle body (not shown) adjacent a side thereof. Inboardly of the'side of said body, bearing block 4, again preferably of the integral type, offers journal connection as at 17 for that portion of the shaft 12 adjacent its inboard -end. Thus it is seen that the axle 10 extends transversely of and has journaled connection to the related body adjacent one side thereof. To complete the support offered atent the related vehicle body, another axle assembly identical with the one shown and described above is similarly disposed adjacent the other side of the truck, and such a disposition is to be understood inasmuch as the remarks herein will be directed to one axle assembly unless otherwise noted.

In the assembled condition the throw or crank arm 16 is preferably in an approximately horizontal position, hence the rotational axis of the associated wheel which is also the longitudinal axis of the spindle 14, is parallel to and trails the longitudinal axis of the main shaft 12. As the vehicle is loaded or as an associated wheel strikes an impediment in the terrain, a torque or twist is imparted to the main shaft 12. To flexibly resist and cushion the torque or twist action of the main shaft 12, a rubber torsional spring or spring unit, generally designated 20, is provided.

In the preferred form of the invention the torsional spring unit 20 comprises a cylindrical tube 22 having a substantially thick wall and which is composed of rubber or like resilient material. As seen best in Figure 6, the outside circumference of the rubber tube 22 is defined and limited by the encircling metal tube 24. The inside diameter of the rubber tube 22 is defined by the encircled metal tube 26. Both the outer tube 24 and the inner tube 26 are preferably of sufficient wall thickness to substantially resist torsional deformation under the operative action of the assembly hereinafter described. The metal tubes 24 and 26 are fixed to the rubber tube 22 by bonding the rubber tube 22 to the related surface of the abutting metal tube as at 23 and 25.

The torsion spring unit Ztl may be positioned intermediate the bearing block-s 2 and 4 with the main shaft 12 immediately surrounded by the inner metal tube 26. Fixed connection is made between the shaft 12 and the spring unit 20, a preferred form of which is the complementary reception of the male spline or circumferential set of teeth 28 formed adjacent the inboard end of the shaft 12, by the adjacent female spline or teeth 30 formed on the inside diameter of the tube 26. Means are provided to resist axial rotation of the spring unit 29 and preferably comprise lugs 32 outstanding from the plate 34 which is, in turn, rigidly connected to the inside face of the outboard bearing block 2, said lugs being received by `complementary slots 36 formed in the adjacent end of the outer metal tube 24.

The axle 10 is retained in the assembled position by means of the washer 38, which is keyed to the end of the shaft 12 and i-s retained in position by the conventional locking nut 4i).

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 which illustrate a varied embodiment of the concerned invention. The numerical designations here employed correspond to those used above where similar parts are denoted.

The torsional spring unit 20 is preferably positioned centrally of the related vehicle body and fixedly secured thereto as by welding the wings 42 of the metal tube 24 to the underside of the iloor of said body, herein shown in phantom at 44. Adjacent each side of the body 'a bearing block 2 is secured thereto offering coaxial journaled connections for the rotatably supported axle units it). it is to be noted that the torsion unit 20 is positioned to ydispose the common longitudinal axis of the tubes 22, 24 and 26 transversely of the related body and in line with the common axis of the journal connections referred to above.

For the purposes of the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the end portion of the axle 1G as shown in detail in Figure 5, to the right of the vertical plane delineated by the line A-A, is to be removed leaving an axle having a spline 28 formed immediately on the end thereof. The axles 10, 10 on each side of the related body extend their'main shafts i12 inboardly wherek connection is made tothe associated 'end 'of "the 'torsion Yspring unit '-20 by means of the complementary reception of the attached 'v male spline 25 by the related female spline 30 formed on the adjacent vinside diameter Aofthe vtube '26,. Y'Thus 'in this embodiment 'the axles 10, lilV `could `be, considered a single rigid axlejunit 'having `a center 'shaft composed `of thelmam shafts k12, 12 and the interconnecting metal .tube 24. YThe -split retainer rings 29, or other'suitable'means,

' Ymay be assembled to the shafts 12 inboardly of therelated bearing blocks, V'thus preventing accidental disassembly of the axles 10. Y

In the operation Vof the embodiment `of `Figures 1 and 2, theftorque or 'twisting -action imparted to lthe `main shaft l12,'as Lhefreinbefore mentioned, is transmitted to the inner metal ytube '26`by means Vof the'connection between Vsaid tube and said'shalft. The outer-metal tube 24 is jfixed land 2 nin that the twist or torque of the main shaft 12 is absorbed,V resisted, and 'cushioned bythe Vresilient torsional deformation of the -spring unit 20. However, this embodiment oiers another advantage lin thatV the design maintains a level load action in the associated body. This is accomplished by the rigid connection, as hereinbefore noted, betweenthe main shafts 12, 12 andthe interconnectingtm'etal tube 24, resulting in vthe'transmission Aof rotational angular motion of one spindle 14 to the like spindle 14 on the other side Vof the body, hence maintaining the body in a substantially Vhorizontal plane.

I claim: l Y

l. 11n a supporting assembly for a related vehicle body, spaced bear-ing blocks connected to said body, a -shaft Vjournaled in said bearing blocks, a throw connected to one end of -said shaft and extending transversely thereof, a spindle -ertending outboardly of said body and connected `to the throw at a point spaced from the connection -to said Y shaft, a metal tube havingsplined engagement with said shaft, only adjacent'an end of the Vtube and an end of the shaft, another metal tube surrounding the rst mentioned tube and without vdirect connection thereto, lugs disposed on one of said bearing blocks engaging said other tube and restricting-axial rotation thereof, means interconnecting both of said tubes and operative to exibly resist rotation of saidV shaft, and readily demountable `retaining' means connected directly to the shaft at a readily available point externally thereof whereby, upon removal of Vsaid retaining means, said shaft may be moved axially Vthereof and removed from the assembly. Y

2. A supporting assembly for a related vehicle body ac-V cording to claim l, wherein the retaining means consist of a threaded portion on the end of the shaft and a washer nut arrangement mounted on said `threaded portion and abutting one of said blocks.

3. In a vehicle supporting assembly, spaced bearing blocks, a shaft journaled kin said blocks, a throw on the end ofthe shaft, a spindle carried by the throwreccentrically of the shaft, a spring unit disposed'intermediate said blocks and occupying substantially all of the space intermediate said blocks axially of the shaft, saidV unit com,-

V prising an inner metallic tube sleeved over said shaft, a

splined connection between the shaft andsaid tube at one end of the latterfa journaled connection between the tube andY the shaft at the end of the tube opposite the ymentioned end,A said 4tube and said shaft beingwithout connection Ybetween the splined connection Aand the journaledonnection, an outer metallic tube surrounding said inner tube, resilient material interposed between said tubes and bonded to both, one o'f s aid bearing'blocks having spaced vertically aligned lugs on a side thereof adjacent the unit, slots in said outer metallic tube receiving said lugs -wherebyrotation Aof Ysaid outertubeeis'preventedgand a demountable nut andV washer arrangement,externally'v of the assembly onthe end of said shaftnabutting one of said blocks and operative to retain'said shaft in said blocks and said unit.

4. In a vehicle supporting assembly, spaced bearing' 'A blocks, a shaft journaled in-saidblocks, a throw on Vthe Y end of the shaft, a spindlecarried .by the throw eccentrically of the shaft, a spring unit disposed intermediate said blocks, said unit comprising'an'innermetaliicitube sleeved Y over said shaft, a spline onsaid shaft intermediatetsaid blocks and consistingrofless vthan 25% of the 'axial length of said shaft intermediate said blocks, janother spline on the inner metallic tube in engagement with said first mentioned'spline, an'outer metallic tube surrounding said inner tube, resilient material interposed between said tubes and bonded to both, one of said bearing blocks having spaced vertically wherebyrotation of'said outer tube is prevented,'and

readilydemountable means on the shaft Vexternally of the J inner tube, .resilient material assembly operativeto. maintain saidshaft in position in the assembly. f'

,5. In avehicle' supporting assembly, spaced rbearing blocks, `a shaft journaled 'in said blocks, a -throwon theV end of the shaft, a spindle carried by the throw eccentrically of the shaft, a spring'unit disposedintermediate said blocks, said unit comprising an inner metallic tube sleevedV Vover said shaft, a spline on said shaft intermediate'Y said of the axial ,length 1 blocks and vconsisting of less `than 25% of `said A.shaft intermediate said blocks, another spline Yon the inner metallicV tube in engagement with Vsaid first mentioned spline, an outerrmetallic Vtube surrounding said kinterposed betweenV said tubes and bondedl to both, interlocking means on vone of said bearingblocksconnecting said one block to said unit andoperative to prevent rotation demountable` retaining means onthe shaft externally of the assembly,said shaft being demountable fromthe assembly d upon removal of said retaining means by movement `of said shaft axially f thereof, said Vinterlocking means ac,- commodating vertical Yremoval of said 'unit upon'the disas- Vsemblyof said shaft. Y t

6.v In a'vehicle `supporting assembly, bearing means comprising spaced bearing blocks, shaft mea-ns 'journaled in said bearing blocks, throw means Von at least one end of said shaftdneans, spindle means carried `by the throw means eccentrically of the shaft means, a spring Yunit disposed intermediate said bloc-ksand `occupying substantially Yall of the spaceintermediate said blocksV axially of the shaft-means, said-spring ,unit comprising an inner metallic tube sleeved over said shaft means, splinedconnection-meansV between the shaft means Vand said tube adjacent at least one :end of Asaid tube, journaled conmeans, Asaid shaft means may be readily removed from the assembly.

7. In Va vehicle `supporting assembly, spaced bearing blocks, yshaft 'means journaled' in said blocks, Vthrow means onat y'least one end of said shaft means, vspindle means-carried 'byr'said throw means eccentrically of theY shaft means, a A'spring unit disposed intermediate said blocks, said 'spring unit comprising an inner metallic alignedlugs on a side thereof 'adiacent the unit, slots in said outer 'metallic'tubereceiving Vsaid lugsY of said outer tube, readily t Y tube sleeved over said shaft means, spline means on said shaft means intermediate said blocks and consisting of less than twenty-tive percent of the axial length of said shaft means, other spline means on the inner metallic tube in splined engagement with the first mentioned spline means, an outer metallic tube surrounding said inner tube, resilient material interposed between said tubes and bonded to both, spaced vertically aligned lugs on one side of at least one of said blocks, slots in said outer metallic tube receiving said lugs whereby axial rotation of said outer tube is prevented, and readily demountable means on the shaft means operative to maintain said shaft means in position Within the assembly.

8. In a supporting assembly for a related vehicle body, spaced bearing blocks connected to said body, a shaft journaled in said blocks, a spindle eccentrically connected to said shaft, a torsional spring unit operative to flexibly resist axial rotation of said shaft and comprising an inner metal tube having splined connection to said shaft, said shaft being partially Within the tube and the splined connection being located adjacent an end of the shaft and tube only, an outer metal tube surrounding said first mentioned tube, said outer metal tube being disposed between and spaced from said blocks, another tube of nonmetallic resilient material disposed intermediate said outer and inner tubes and connected therebetween, a plate ixed on said body and connected to said outer tube to restrain axial rotation of said outer metallic tube, and readily demountable retaining means connected directly to the shaft externally thereof whereby, upon removal of said retaining means, said shaft may be rotatably adjusted relative to said inner tube.

9. In an axle assembly for a related Vehicle body, spaced bearing blocks connected to said body, a shaft journaled in said blocks, a crank arm extending transversely of the shaft and having an end connected thereto, a spindle directionally paralleling said shaft and connected to the crank arm adjacent the end opposite the mentioned end, a male spline integral with said shaft adjacent an end thereof and comprising less than twenty per cent of the shaft length, a metal tube having a female spline cooperatively engaging the male spline, another metal tube encircling said rst mentioned tube and disposed between and spaced from said blocks, a plate fixed on said body securing said second mentioned tube against rotational movement, a connection between the first mentioned and second mentioned tubes composed of a nonmetallic elastically deformable material, and readily demountable retaining means connected directly to the shaft at a point externally thereof whereby, upon removal of said retaining means, said shaft may be readily removed from and rotatably adjusted relative `to said tube.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,710,809 Broadwell Apr. 30, 1929 2,051,864 Knox et al Aug. 25, 1936 2,103,590 Lefevre Dec. 28, 1937 2,176,971 Klotsch Oct. 24, 1939 2,286,609 Ledwinka June 16, 1942 2,371,864 Woolson et al Mar. 20, 1945 2,409,501 Krotz Oct. 15, 1946 2,455,787 Linn Dec. 7, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 191,116 Switzerland Sept. 1, 1937 878,595 France Oct. 19, 1942 

